Persepolis

Persepolis is unlike any other book I have ever read. Before reading the book I judged it by its cover and was turned off right away. As I continued reading I have become very interested and glued to the book. I am not a graphic novel/ comic book type guy so reading this book has been very interesting. I am becoming very interested in checking out other graphic novels now!

As for the plot/characters, I really like the way the book is. The main character Marji is very interesting. I love how the book takes you through her "coming of age". It shows how she became of age in her culture and what happened in the end. Another character that I found very interesting was her boyfriend in Turkey. He played her for over two years. I feel that this is typical of many young adults today.

In all, I truthfully like the book because I have learned a lot about Iran. I never knew anything about Iran, except for the fact that they have had war after war. Now I understand a lot about their history. It is amazing how much you can learn about one country through a graphic novel like this!!!

I Am The Messenger Review

Overall, I loved the book. It was by far my favorite book in college literature. It brought my attention in right away and kept me reading straight to the end. I ended up reading way ahead of my group, because I was so interested. I found the whole plot very interesting- what made the author think to write this book the way it is?! Another notable detail is that it takes place in Australia. How many books take place there? Not too many...

After reading the whole book, I now see the bigger picture. You have to want something before you can get something. If you don't want anything in your life, then it will be hard for you to ever get anything. Ed, Audrey, Ritchie, and Marv had no dreams/future plans. Thanks to one man this all changed!!!

Wrongs of Passage

I agree with Sydney Cook's argument. Everything she has in her essay is correct. I think the thing that really got me to agree with her was when she said that there is no real way of telling when a child has become an adult in America. I think we should change this so that there is some sort of ceremony, etc. It always frustrates me when I hear of other countries doing things better than us; this is one of those times.

Two passages of rite I have gone through are turning 16 and 18. I have not changed much since I have gone through these passages. In America there is not huge celebrations (unless you are wealthy) for becoming these ages. The only real thing that has changed in me is that I was able to drive once I turned 16. Besides that I am almost the same.

In all, I think that America needs to come together and figure out the rite of passage from an adolescent to an adult. Rites of passage should bring communities together. Let's change this!

I Am the Messenger (the start) Reaction

After reading the first one-hundred pages, I really love the book I am the Messenger. It has really caught my attention, and everytime I pick up the book I don't want to put it down. The book starts out with a bank robbery, and this part really got me going. I think the way Markus Zusak starts the book is a huge part of whether a person will read it or not. First impressions stay forever!

A character I have really analyzed a lot is Marvin. He caught my attention from the start. He is a very goofy guy. I feel that he has struggled in life and loves to act the "the tough guy". He always bullies Ed or other people. The other character that has caught my attention so far is Audrey. She is a taxi driver who does not have much of a family. She just seems to drive taxis, play cards, drink, and have sex. Talk about the life, huh?!

Well anyways, I am excited to continue reading, and I have no idea what will happen next! I hope in the end that Ed becomes famous for everything!

Sweet Jane: Final Reflections

1) If I was Jane, I would leave Rochester. I would not want to get involved with his whole situation. Whether she loves him or not, she should not want to be around that situation. Also, He is already married so there is no way they could become married.

2) I ended up liking the novel. I had heard from all of my friends that they disliked the novel compared to Catcher in the Rye. I was somewhat the opposite. I had a hard time reading at the start, but it really picked up. I liked reading once Jane was older and not a little girl anymore. The thing that didn't really work for me was that I had a hard time making connections. My life so far has been nothing like hers, and never will be like it. I wish there was more opportunities to make connections.

3) I believe this book should be taught in college literature. It teaches students how to read a book that might be read at the college level. It also shows how much reading people can expect in college. I think that students might not like reading it in high school, but will thank the class when they are prepared and read books like it in college! Keep the novel as a part of the curriculum!

Polygamy

In the book Jane Eyre, Mr. Rochester has a wife who has gone mad. He can't technically leave her because of her status. He can't enjoy marriage on the other hand. So how does he get out of the situation so he can enjoy himself? He tries to have a polygamy marriage (having more than one wife).

Polygamy is not found much in the United States. It is mainly found out in Utah where Mormons are. I do not agree with the way these people act. I think it is not fair for children to have to grow up in this lifestyle and become what I think as "brainwashed". I don't understand why Charlotte Bronte would put something like this in her book Jane Eyre?

My friend Richie

Jane Eyre is an orphan. She has no family to take her in etc. She went to a school with a bunch of other girls who were orphans. As soon as I started reading the book, I couldn't help but make a connection with an old friend. I used to know a kid named Richie who was an orphan. He used to stay at a friends house up the street. I never really thought much of it, but now after seeing how Jane struggled being an orphan I wish I would have done more to help him out. He was a great kid. We would hang out all of the time, and we got along real well. Looking back now though, I see things I didn't notice before (things that Jane struggled with). He had a harder time getting along with people, disagreed with lots of things in his life, etc. Some of my friends know him as well, and I think they would agree with me. In all I wish Richie and Jane could have had better upbringings. Granted Jane was brought up an orphan many years ago compared to Richie today, but they are similar in many ways.